Consult Geneticist:
In this case I'd advise that you be referred to a geneticist as well as try and discover if an autopsy was ever done on your 20 week stillborn to find out whether or not it may have also suffered some birth defects especially neural tube which is what the 32 weeker seemed to have. If you'd like a private discussion contact me at: www. Healthtap. Com/drsaghafi Use Key Code: PDXFNR for an appointment
...Read more

A birth defect involving incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but a risk factor appears to be low levels of folic acid in a woman's body before and during early pregnancy.
...Read more

2

Although depictions:
Of people with Spina Bifida go back 12, 000 years, Amsterdam's Dr. Nicholas Tulp named the disorder between 1618-1652. Dr. Giovanni Battista Morgagni an Italian, linked lower-limb deformity & hydrocephalus to Spina Bifida in 1761. Studies show that the incidence of NTD's could decrease by as much as 70% if all women were to take a daily Folic Acid supplement from menarche to menopause.
...Read more

3

Spinal cord disorder:
The spinal cord forms as an open tube that starts to close from the middle out to the two ends. The entire closure is done by about ten weeks. If the closure is not normal than a condition known as spina bifida occurs. Open spina bifida is when there is an opening in the spinal column to the skin. Closed spina bifida is when there is an opening in the spinal column but it has a thin cover.
...Read more

4

Spina Bifida:
Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine does not close around the spinal cord during development. This may be as small as a small gap between the 2 sides, with no buldging out of membranes or nerves, & no associated handicaps, to a large defect with part of the cord exposed outside the body, leading to paralysis and other neurological problems. Folic acid decreases the risk.
...Read more

5

Studies show that:
The incidence of neural tube defects (NTD's) like open Spina Bifida would decrease by 70% if all women took 0.4mg of Folic Acid daily from menarche to menopause. However, this dose does not prevent NTD's in offspring of women with variations in several genes involved in folate (folic acid) & homocysteine metabolism. There are also inheritable genetic causes of NTD's that are not related to folate (folic acid) metabolism.
...Read more

6

Yes:
Yes, but rarely. This condition is not common and as a family physician, I see only what comes my way. Spina bifida is usually approached in a team concept, usualy dealing with a primary care doctor (pediatrician, family physician or internest) along with physical therapist, neurologists, neuro-surgeons, physiatrist (physical medicine specialists) and a host of others. There are many issues.
...Read more

7

Spina Bifida:
Depends on the type;1. Spina bifida occulta shows small gap in 1 or more of spinal bones, seen in newborn as a small dimple or birth mark or tuft of hair or fat collection.2. Meningocele shows as bulging of meninges (sheath around spinal cord) through the opening in back.3. Myelomeningocele is wider protrusion through several vertebrae, forming a large sac. This is most severe.
...Read more

9

Split spine.:
Spina bifida is a generic term used to describe congenital malformations of the spine (typically lower spine). It can be mild to very severe and be associated with a variety of conditions.
...Read more

10

Spina bifida:
Spina bifida is a very generic term that covers a lot of disorders of the spine that occur at birth. These can range from defects in the spinal bone to loss of the muscle and skin covering leading to herniation of the spinal cord and roots. There are a wide variety of causes known.
...Read more

11

No:
Spina bifida occulta results from failure of the two lamina of one vertebra to make a solid bony fusion. The defect is generally bisecting the spinous process vertically. No instability is present. No neurologic dysfunction is present because neural elements are not affected. But associated neurological problems which may be symptomatic are more common in association with spina bifida occulta.
...Read more

12

Many:
Embryonic development involves progressive closure of the neuro cord which becomes the spine. This closure may be slightly incomplete (occult) or remain a cyst (meningomyelocele) or remain completely open. In some the pelvis and anus do not develop properly. Nerves to bladder, bowel, and legs may only partially develop. The brain may not develop properly, and hydrocephalus may develop.
...Read more

13

As usual:
Delivery of a neonate with spina bifida may require some special attention by the obstetrician, but usually the delivery progresses as normal and the spina bifida is addressed after delivery.
...Read more

14

Congenital:
This is a failure of the bones to fuse at birth usually in the lower spine. Sometimes the nerves to the legs and bladder are also malformed. So in effect, you are born with it.
...Read more

15

To what degree?:
If you are talking about spina bifida occulta, there will be no impact. If you are talking about cases with neurologic symptoms, it depends on whether lower nerve roots (sacral) are involved or if spinal cord is involved. People with spinal cord lesions are more susceptible to life-altering events than are those without.
...Read more

16

Unlikely:
Spina bifida (there are several types) is associated with some known genetic defects however the majority of cases are spontaneous and most cases are more likely related to folate (folic acid) deficiency during pregnancy. The general answer is that this is unlikely to occur in your nephew.
...Read more

17

No impact:
Spina bifida occulta is manifested by a single defect: failure of the two laminae of a vertebra to achieve bony union with each other. Often times the spinous process is associated with one lamina. Rarely is the spinous process completely absent. The vertebra has normal strength, normal associated joints, ligaments, qnd disks plus no nerve root herniation or compression. Occult = symptom-free.
...Read more

18

Spina bifida:
Are you asking about the history of spina bifida in the historical literature or the history of patients that present with spina bifida? If you are talking about the written history of spina bifida there a number of good historical research papers that can be easily found on Google or other search engines.
...Read more

20

Spina bifida:
"occult" is a term used when the finding of spina bifida is only seen on an x-ray and it is a lack of development of a bone called the lamina in the lower lumbar spine that does not fully develop. In most cases there are usually no clinical problems associated with this x-ray finding.
...Read more

21

Multifactorial:
Isolated spina bifida (myelomeningocele) is a neural tube defect along with anencephaly that exhibits multifactorial determination--a combination of many genes and in utero environmental factors that cross a threshold to produce the defect. A couple having a child with spina bifida or anencephaly has a ~2% risk for each future pregnancy, a risk decreased by preconception folic acid.
...Read more

22

Help them:
To reach their fullest potential. Be alert for changes in functional status, as these can be signs of more serious problems. Lastly make sure they are followed at a multidisciplinary clinic as these patients get the best care there.
...Read more

26

Spina bifida:
Spina bifida is a disease of many manifestations with the most common being a case of lumbo sacral myelomeningocele. This is a situation where the child is born with the spinal cord exposed in the lower back. This disorder develops during pregnancy and the use of folic acid in the diet has reduced incidence quite significantly. There are several good web sites that have info available.
...Read more

27

Complex question:
This question is difficult to answer without additional information such as the type of spina bifida you baby has, the presence of any other abnormalities and a complete family history. Most cases of isolated spina bifida are sporadic and are not strictly inherited. For a more precise answer, you can seek a genetic evaluation (geneticist/genetic counselor).
...Read more

28

Spina bifida:
It would take a textbook to answer this question as they are many types and severity. In short spina bifida can be mild with no skin stigmata such as spina bifida occulta. To the more severe disorder where this is actual herniation of the spinal cord through the skin and muscle and again there are both mild and severe forms of this.
...Read more

29

It Depends:
It depends on the extent of the spina bifida. Some forms of spina bifida are mild and only involve more of the superficial bony elements of the lumbar spine. Other forms of spina bifida may be more extensive involving not only the bony elements of the spine but also the coverings of the neural elements and the neural elements themselves. Natural history is dependent on the form of spina bifida.
...Read more

30

Depends:
Spina bifida occulta is a congenital skeletal and therefore musculoskeletal abnormality. It is more a predisposing factor, meaning some people will have problems due to it while others will not. One should remain active but try to find activities that do not aggravate or predispose to pain.
...Read more